17. Myome #2
“Yeah. That first day he was just like, turn your notifications off and block all of the blogs. They’ll get the content from secondary pages but you won’t have to see the posts or comments and just leave it alone.
He rarely uses social media, and when he does, he posts and gets off immediately.
But he also isn’t like marketing the way we are.
” I gestured between us. “A lot of producers are successful and make great money and people have no idea what they look like. Their faces aren’t their brand the way ours is; so I think that was a little bit of a disconnect there for a while, but it’s getting better, I think.
” I looked between Retta and Charm. “How do you guys feel about it?”
“Uhm, like Myome said, it's a double-edged sword,” Retta said. “I mean, of course we want our music to do well but we want it to do well because people like it, not because Drix said to go buy it, you know? I feel like it feeds into impostor syndrome where we may get things and be like ‘do we deserve it or is it because of Myome’s husband and his connections’, you know? And uhm, at first the amount of comments we’d get about her relationship or even like her first interview wasn’t for the group, it was for her marriage.
Stuff like that used to give me a bad taste when it first started.
” She shrugged and crossed her legs at the ankle.
“On the opposite end, this industry is about networking and public perception, no matter how much people say the product will sell itself and Drix has been great,” Charm said.
“He had us at that Bino party that happened recently and he loans us his producer ear and tell us when we need to move something around. He contributes positively to the group as a whole. Not to mention we’re both happy that Myome is happy.
” Charm leaned her head on my shoulder briefly.
“That’s the main thing. The people in the comments don’t know any of us.
We know each other and see each other almost every day.
As long as we”—she gestured between the three of us—“Know we’re putting out quality music, that’s all that matters.
Everything will balance out and like Myome said Drix isn’t big on the social media thing so it’s not like he goes out trying to steal our shine or whatever people are saying.
He’s just living and navigating this stuff like us. ”
“And soon no one will be worried about me and Drix,” I added. “The music is going to be what keeps the supporters because the gossip and blogs are only going to care about us for so long.”
“I like this.” Oliva gestured between the three of us.
“Me too.” Alydia nodded. “I really like the dynamic. I like how you guys don’t seem media trained but like…” She paused while she tried to think of her next words.
“It seems like you’re all friends and not willing to throw each other under the bus,” Olivia said. “And that’s a great thing to have especially in a group, a girl group.”
“Yeah. It gets nasty. There are always people pointing out who they feel carries the group or who they feel is doing something wrong. They pick favorites. They say certain people would do better solo. It gets messy in groups. I’m glad y’all look like you’re all there for each other.”
“Before we move on, can I ask you a kind of personal question about your marriage? You can please the fifth and it’ll be no hard feelings.” Olivia slid forward on her seat.
I lifted an eyebrow and looked at Allison who was grimacing. She closed her eyes, exhaled, and nodded once.
“Sure.”
“Okay. So, you guys posted each other. The pictures were cute. You both look in love and everything, but I mean, after Monica posted that picture of her and Drix at that festival you guys performed at and flipped social media upside down, how did you handle that? Did you know Drix took that picture? Were you aware they were still friends? Like, do you want to clear any of that up? You’ve already said it’s complicated navigating marriage this publicly, but I know it can’t be easy reading the comments about your husband getting your name tattooed on his face and people going from relationship goals last night to it’s because he cheated this morning. Do you want to comment?”
I blinked and cleared my throat. I had no idea about what she was talking about and it was obvious from the way Allison was tapping away on her phone she hadn’t known either.
“Uh, sure. I’ll speak on it.” I smiled. “My husband got my name tattooed because he wanted to. That’s it.
There was no cheating or ultimatum given.
He just did it because he can, and if you’ve met him in person, you’d know I can’t make that man do anything he doesn't want to do,” I said and the ladies giggled.
“Uh, but yeah, as for him and Monica, they’re exes but we also all share this industry and I’m not trying to brag but Drix is one of the best and she has a project coming out so.
” I shrugged. “I was aware they spoke. They did it right there next to the stage I was on. He told me about it. I could see them the whole time. I don’t feel any kind of way about it.
I’m confident that what they had is done.
I trust my husband, and if a tabloid took a picture of them talking, okay. ”
“But she posted the picture herself on her page,” Olivia clarified. “That doesn’t upset you?”
“It’s more weird than upsetting,” I clarified. “But, like I said, she has an album coming out and all press is good press, I guess.”
“So when—”
“We just talked about my marriage taking up precious Radiant Reverie time, so I’d kind of prefer if we focused on the group as a whole and all the amazing things we have coming.
There’s tour dates being moved around for bigger venues and trending songs and choreography we’re perfecting and I’m focused on that right now.
My marriage is fine. It doesn’t need extra attention. ”
“Okay, okay.” She nodded. “Let’s move on then.”
I kept a smile plastered on my face and did my best not to look at Allison.
I’d done my best for being put on the spot.
I hadn’t thrown Monica under the bus. I’d tried to say she was being professional when I’d actually wanted to call her a thirsty ass bitch.
I didn’t need anyone to think she and Drix were messing around and I was trashing her because I was mad.
The bitch wouldn’t even get to look at my man’s dick again in life.
I wasn’t bothered and the last thing I wanted to do was look bothered.
I genuinely thought the picture she’d posted was to announce music or an album but hopefully saying we didn’t have beef would step on her promotion.
I adjusted how I was sitting and did my best to stay present in our interview and not replay my statement in my head. When we finished and the cameras cut, I hugged Oliva and Alydia and thanked them for having us. I kept my face intact until we’d made it out of the building.
I pulled my phone out and went to Skroll.
Sure enough, Monica had posted several photos of her weekend and performing at the festival. The last picture out of the bunch was of her and Drix. They were looking at each other but thankfully not touching. Both of their arms were crossed over their chests.
I didn’t need to look at the comments but I did it anyway and of course Monica was feeding into the drama.
I screenshotted it and sent it to Drix.
Retta whistled beside me. “You are one of the Lord's strongest soldiers, Myome.” She shook her head.
“I’m not in the mood, Retta and I will slap the fuck out of you.”
“Take that anger out on the bitch cuddled up with the husband you keep telling the world you’re happy with.”
“Okay. Everybody calm down,” Allison said quickly, her face still staring at her phone.
“Look, Retta may not have the right to say it, but she may be right. If this isn’t going in a positive direction, maybe we should cut our losses on this whole marriage thing.
You did great spinning it in that interview but—”
“Allison, are you fucking stupid?” It came out before I could stop it and her eyes widened.
“You think that man got my name tattooed on his face because of a deal we made?” My eyebrows knitted together.
“This isn’t just a contract relationship anymore and I’m not leaving my husband. Don’t bring it up again please.”
“Jesus.” Allison exhaled. “Alright, Myome. We can’t tell you who to date but I want you to know that you’re setting yourself up for a public shitshow.”
“All publicity is good publicity, remember?” I quoted the same phrase she’d used to even get me with Drix in the first place. “I’ll do damage control on my end and see y’all for our meeting in two days.”
I didn’t wait for a response. I shifted my purse to my other shoulder and made a beeline toward my car.